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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I wish Gibson had written this book first. Whilst I bounced off Neuromancer due to the punkish prose I just couldn't absorb, and the plot that fizzled out half way through, I adored the worldbuilding, and Gibson here smartly fixes many of the issues I had with the first in the trilogy.
Firstly, the plot. There are three narrative threads for three main characters all mysteriously distinct and diverse, but of course you know they're going to meet up eventually. Gibson gets around his inability to write an engaging 3rd act in Nueromancer, by instead writing three 2-act stories. It works, even if the ending is quite abrupt, as opposed to outstaying its welcome with Neuro. And, like in Neuromancer, things just happen to characters, many coincidental things, almost as though there's a big red flashing arrow in every scene to keep the narrative on course. Characters are expected to react, even though this is much less character focussed than the predecessor.
Secondly the Punk-like prose are the reason (I believe) why Neuromancer has earned the reputation of being unfilmable. The prose are quite poetic, almost like slam poetry, and I don't think any two readers would imagine the same concepts. Gibson again smartly tones this down to varying degrees based on the main character. Marly, being an art gallery owner/manager, her plot is described in the straightest of terms, while Bobby's, as a cyberspace cowboy, has the rawest prose. It works well, but I did find myself more interested in Marly's tale as a result.
Thirdly, pacing has definitely improved here, but still much slower than you'd expect any book in a genre with Punk in the name. Here I was almost wishing for more, but had to counter that feeling with the reality that whilst I found the book very interesting, I also struggled to care that much.
So far I'd recommend this, even instead of Neuromancer. It's a sequel in the timeline, but barely mentions previous events without explaining them. It's certainly changed my opinion of Gibson's work and I look forward to the next book.
Firstly, the plot. There are three narrative threads for three main characters all mysteriously distinct and diverse, but of course you know they're going to meet up eventually. Gibson gets around his inability to write an engaging 3rd act in Nueromancer, by instead writing three 2-act stories. It works, even if the ending is quite abrupt, as opposed to outstaying its welcome with Neuro. And, like in Neuromancer, things just happen to characters, many coincidental things, almost as though there's a big red flashing arrow in every scene to keep the narrative on course. Characters are expected to react, even though this is much less character focussed than the predecessor.
Secondly the Punk-like prose are the reason (I believe) why Neuromancer has earned the reputation of being unfilmable. The prose are quite poetic, almost like slam poetry, and I don't think any two readers would imagine the same concepts. Gibson again smartly tones this down to varying degrees based on the main character. Marly, being an art gallery owner/manager, her plot is described in the straightest of terms, while Bobby's, as a cyberspace cowboy, has the rawest prose. It works well, but I did find myself more interested in Marly's tale as a result.
Thirdly, pacing has definitely improved here, but still much slower than you'd expect any book in a genre with Punk in the name. Here I was almost wishing for more, but had to counter that feeling with the reality that whilst I found the book very interesting, I also struggled to care that much.
So far I'd recommend this, even instead of Neuromancer. It's a sequel in the timeline, but barely mentions previous events without explaining them. It's certainly changed my opinion of Gibson's work and I look forward to the next book.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Coming back to this years later, and it's...
*shrugs*
First time I read it, it was like looking in on an alien culture. Now, it's like looking in on an alien culture looking in on an alien culture. An excellent read, but as much so for the disconnect from when it was written as for the future it projects.
*shrugs*
First time I read it, it was like looking in on an alien culture. Now, it's like looking in on an alien culture looking in on an alien culture. An excellent read, but as much so for the disconnect from when it was written as for the future it projects.
Hugely satisfying. Another stellar entry, and I just cannot wait to get to Mona Lisa Overdrive!
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
Really more of a mystery-thriller set in a sci-fi background than a sci-fi book. Obviously, I don't get to define sci-fi for the universe, but I'm not really into mystery-thrillers and this isn't what I look for in sci-fi.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes